Washington state fines Idaho-based company over oil spill

November 29, 2018

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — The Washington Department of Ecology has fined a Lewiston, Idaho-based company $189,000 for an oil spill at a facility in Wenatchee, Washington.

The government agency says a corroded underground pipe at the Coleman Oil plant allowed the fuel to contaminate nearby soil and groundwater, seeping into the Columbia River. The Department of Ecology said in a news release that the property is now considered a toxic cleanup site, and total fines and damages related to the spill are expected to reach more than $1 million.

The Lewiston Tribune reports the agency cited Coleman Oil for negligence and for failing to monitor levels in the 20,000-gallon, above-ground storage tanks connected to the corroded pipe.

In addition to the fine, the company must reimburse the state $213,400 for its spill response costs, plus an additional assessment to cover some damages. Coleman Oil has the option to appeal.

Officials at Coleman Oil could not be immediately reached for comment.